The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-16
A BowIE-KNlFE DIVORCE.
Scout Harding Hears of His Daughters
Secret MARRIAGE

Secret Marriage.
New York Herald.
The prod of cold bowie knife has separated
Frank Gordon from the sixteen-year-oldb ballad
singer he married at Melrose just before New
Years. Young Mr.. Gordon is now of the opn-
ion that it does not pay to marry the daughter
of patent-medicine Indian scout
About forty noble Kickapoo braves were re-
Gently led into the little hamlet of Melrose,
small brick houses Their leader was Dr. E. H.
Harding who never cuts his hair. and is looked
up to as great warrior by the Kickapoos Dr.
Harding was scout once. By mysterious wig
glines OF his hand he can pull mans teeth out
with his naked fingers; at least he says go. and
all the kickapoos believe him. Every night the
Doctor and his savages give an entertainment in
Haffen's Hall, One hundred and fifty second
street and CORTLAND avenue. Here stage per-
formances are given, and advertisements of the
Scouts patent medicine are dexterousiy sand
wiched in between the acts.
The most attractive feature of the entertain
ments has been Matte Harding, the pretty
daughter Of the medical scout, She has big
black eyes and soft raven tresses. Her songs
were nightly applauded. Matte was cold to all
admirers until Frank Gordon came along and
joined the show Gordon is a peasant-faced
young fellow, who owns a troupe of performing
dogs. He was never q scout and he is not a
doctor, but he has way with dogs that is sim
ply irresistible.
Gordon and his dogs became the sole object of
the r0matc singers existence. Even the Klcka-
significantly as the young pair made eyes at each
other.
Two nights before New Years Gordon de-
clared that he could stand the pressure of affec
ton no longer. 1t was arranged between them
that they should be secretly married that night.
Matte told her father that she was going to an
entertainment of the Melrose Bowling Club that
night with the wife of ex Alderman Haffen. AS
a matter of fact, she did 60 TO the entertain
ment, where she was Joined by Gordon and
Charles Deanot, the ti:ket taker of her fathers
show. The trio were driven in carriage to the
residences OF the Rev. Mr.. Lang, of One-hundred-
nd-fifty sixth street. Here Gordon was married
to Matte. Mrs Lang serving as a witness. The
welded pair returned to Haffens Hall and took
part in the patent medicine Symposium of song
and sermon.
The next night was New Years eve. When
the kickapoos had retired to rest in their lairs
DR. Harding proposed that the rest of his com
many should sit up and the old year out
They at once adjourned to Dir. Haffens bar
room. Gordon was particularly jolly, and drank
many bumpers. His cheeks became flushed and
his manner demonstrative. 1t struck the young
| man that a better opportunity to announce his
marriage to his long haired father-in-law would
never present itself.
So with swelling chest and unsteady steps,
the dog trainer arose and walked up to the scout
He fixed his eyes as steadily he could upon
his uasuspee.ing relative. and slapping him
Familiarity on the shoulder cried:
Congratulate me- old man. I'm your son-in
law. Shake!"
"Whatf
Its true. had the honor to marry your
| daughter last night
go away. don't want any nonsense"
Upon my honor it's 40. I'm your son in-la W.
| Shake"
| DIR. Harding did shake It was with rage
You are my son-inlaw, are your he shouted
| fercelv. We'll. you won't remain so long"
Reaching back under his coat tails the Doctor
| drew flashing bowie knife from his belt and
| made slash across the table. The keen blade
| just grazed Gordon's breast and cut his coat DIR.
| Harding leaped at the young man. and the bright
steel performed lightning circles in the air. Two
or three men of the company threw themselves
| upon the excited father and held his arms.
| While the struggle went on, Gordon left the
| room. without mentioning whore he was going.
| DR.. Harding then hurried upstairs and ques-
| toned his daughter The girl at first denied the
| marriage, but finally acknowledged 1t.
Young Gordon has not since claimed his wife.
| A friend of his called upon DR.. Harding and took
| away the trained dogs, but declined to say
where Gordon The kickapoos have held
| eeveral councils over the affair and have wagged
| their heads mysteriousy In the meantime the
| young ballad singer continues to ravish the
| echoes of Merose with her voice until her hus
| band returns
| Another medicine scout whose Indians ravagt
| the borders of Meserole avenue, Brooklyn, has
| written to DR.. Harding that there is n woman il
| that city who claims to be Gordons wife /
Gordon returns to Merose he will probably
meet with an interesting reception